tips for removing E36 fan nut

I am trying to loosen the reverse-threaded fan and clutch from my M3's water pump, and that thing is stuck pretty good. I do not have the special tool to hold the pulley, and when I "righty-loosey" the whole darn thing turns. I cannot wedge something in there to hold the pulley (already bent a screwdriver wedging it in there on the bolts) and want to know if there are any more fancy tricks.....suggestions?

I am trying to loosen the reverse-threaded fan and clutch from my M3's water pump, and that thing is stuck pretty good. I do not have the special tool to hold the pulley, and when I "righty-loosey" the whole darn thing turns. I cannot wedge something in there to hold the pulley (already bent a screwdriver wedging it in there on the bolts) and want to know if there are any more fancy tricks.....suggestions?

Hit your wrench with a rubber mallet, or buy the tool. It will come off.

Like Granthr said, give it a good solid whack and you may find it's enough to loosen it. If after a couple of attempts it doesn't loosen, you may have to break down and get the tool (or build your own...it's fairly straight-forward). I would bet somebody in the chapter already has one that you could borrow though. Have you posted anything on your local forum?

I walked into my NAPA store and bought a Ford wrench off the wall for the same thing ~$30. It fits on any 1/2" socket wrench or breaker bar, even came with a wrench (wrong size). It works great on the e46... don't know about the e36. The sears wrench to fit over the nut was 2x that.
Chuck

Auto zone will rent you a universal fan clutch tool. Its adjustable and works on many different vehicles. I did my z3, my e28 and will be doing my m3 this week with the same tool from their shop. Rental tools rock !